Description: The Pelta-class Command Ship, also known as the Pelta-class Command Cruiser was a variant of the Pelta-class frigate. The Alliance to Restore the Republic used modified Pelta-class Command Ships during the Galactic Civil War.

The Pelta-class frigate, also known as the Republic medical frigate, was a model of frigate manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards. During the Clone Wars, they were used by the Republic Navy to safely ferry injured clones to medical stations for treatment, as well as serving as a supply ship to deliver armaments, medical supplies, or food rations.

These vessels were vital to Republic operations during the Battle of Ryloth and the Battle of Christophsis, which saw the use of Pelta-class frigates as blockade runners and supply ships. Serving as medcenters, a B1 battle droid informed Grievous that several vessels of the class were active during the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula, as they and the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center were a target of the Malevolence, captained by General Grievous. In the second year of the Clone Wars, Geonosian brain worms infected Tango Company, the escorting crew of TB-73, and one participated in recovery efforts of the survivors of the Endurance following a sabotage of the vessel. Pelta-class frigates also served in the capacity of supply ships during the mercy mission to Aleen.

During the rule of the Galactic Empire, Pelta-class frigates were used as medcenters by the early rebellion and subsequent Rebel Alliance, with a handful of them being retrofitted with turbolasers. Phoenix Home, a Pelta-class, served as a rebel command ship for Phoenix Cell, until it was destroyed by Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Vader during the Siege of Lothal.

Characteristics

The Pelta-class frigate was a model of frigate that was manufactured by Kuat Drive Yards, measured at 282 meters, and had a crew of 900. It was equipped with a deflector shield generator and a Class 2 hyperdrive. During the Imperial Era, the early rebellion, and later the Alliance to Restore the Republic, retrofitted Pelta-class frigates with turbolasers and point-defense laser cannons to fulfill other roles. The Alliance also modified Pelta-class Assault Ships and the Pelta-class Command Ships, variants of the standard Pelta-class frigate. The Pelta-class frigate was equipped with sixteen escape pods. Some models of escape pods that the Pelta-class could be equipped with included Republic escape pods and RGC-6b escape pods.

On the aft of the Pelta-class frigate by its engine were two "wings" that were able to pivot and open. The rebellion was able to exploit this by adding additional engine units, albeit smaller, to the aft of the vessel. The Pelta-class frigate was also equipped with a docking port on the starboard and port sides near the mid-section of the vessel, and later modifications would alter the door and frame of the docking ports. Alliance modifications also replaced the ramp and cargo bay with a ventral hangar bay that was able to accommodate at least five RZ-1 A-wing interceptors. The hangar bay had walkways located above the starfighters to allow pilots to enter their respective starships.

Modified Pelta-class frigates were also fitted with deflector shield generators. On one occasion, a Pelta-class frigate was destroyed by a single TIE Advanced x1 starfighter after only several strafing runs, despite having a deflector shield.

Interior

The interior layout of Pelta-class frigates were lined with ventilation shafts and white corridors with controls, and were equipped with a variety of facilities for the passengers and crew of the frigates, including a barracks for escorting troops, private quarters for higher-level passengers, and a mess hall for dining. The private quarters featured at least four beds, one located above the other, and was equipped with computer consoles on the opposite side of the entrance. The barracks were situated between the private quarters and the mess hall. The barracks had doors on opposite sides, and the bunk beds were lined parallel to the middle corridor. The mess hall also had two entrances, one opposite the other, with the food serving station was positioned on one side, vertical to the doors.

The bridge of the Pelta-class frigate was located at the top of the vessel and was the upper-most point of the ship. The Alliance to Restore the Republic would later use the bridge as a communications array, while another bridge was retrofitted at the bow and utilized as the ship's command center. Ray shields were equipped in a passageway to reach the bridge, acting as a security countermeasure. Pelta-class frigates also had a cargo bay for supplies, a reactor control room that included the controls for the coolant and power systems, and an aft communications station. The Pelta-class frigate also had a ramp on the keel that opened up for easy transportation of supplies, as well as six landing gear legs.

Role

The Pelta-class frigate served a variety of purposes during its service, seeing extensive use during the Clone Wars, primarily as a hospital ship and supply ship, in the Republic Navy of the Galactic Republic. During the Clone Wars, honorable Separatist generals were known to withhold from attacking the Pelta-class frigates. Pelta-class frigates were also used by the Alliance to Restore the Republic as command ships and hospital vessels. After undergoing weapon retrofits, the frigates served larger combat and command roles, as well as fire support, anti-starfighter roles, and communications responsibilities.

Rebel Pelta-class frigates, such as the Phoenix Home, were modified to carry several starfighters in a make-shift hangar bay, serving in the capacity of a starfighter carrier. While serving in the capacity of a carrier, the frigate would typically be flanked by escorts, such as CR90 corvettes.

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